1979 Stern Meteor SS

While my intent was to touch up the original playfield (and fix the cupped inserts), I came across a CPR reproduction playfield locally, less than 20 miles from my house. It was a first-run “Gold” playfield, never used, and had been sitting in this guy’s closet for a few years. He was motivated to sell and I couldn’t resist it at $100. CPR is still selling this Meteor playfield for $895. I know why he was motivated - there are production issues with the playfield. Three of them I knew on the spot - the artwork for point values was missing in front of the METEOR drop target bank and the cut-out for the 333 target bank was too short to accommodate hooded drop targets. And the artwork font for the 333 target bank was wrong. No matter, I could deal with those.

One other problem I didn’t know about (or notice) until the pin was 75% restored was that the famous Kirk Center Post was NOT centered between the flippers. I had to drill a new post hole and cover the original hole making it look factory.

Every assembly was torn down, cleaned, and reassembled (some with new parts). New coil sleeves, drop targets, posts, rubbers, etc. Plastics were “ok” but I decided to go with new ones to compliment the new playfield and new backglass.

Aside from one piece of support wood needed for the floor, the cab was structurally sound but seriously planking. It took a lot of bondo and glazing putty to smooth it out during prep work prior to re-painting.